I often neglect to reflect on the reason for the Memorial Day Holiday. My grandfather died in World War II, so today I think of him and the ultimate sacrifice that he made to protect innocent people. His purple heart inspires me to do the most I can to make this world a better place, one that he could my grandfather would be proud of.

I don’t personally know many people who have sacrificed their lives for their country, but I have met inspiring folks and organizations that make devote themselves fully to their communities. I’d like to acknowledge some of them today.

* Marissa LaMagna works tirelessly to promote green businesses in the Bay Area through her non-profit Bay Area Green Tours.
* Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, the rest of the California legislature, and the folks in Sacramento have such a task ahead of them to balance the budget. I visited our state capital this week when Assemblymember Skinner recognized me as Small Business Owner of the Year for her district. You can help small businesses and the state of California by shopping locally.
* The Bread Project is a non-profit job-training program. The delicious chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies at Amanda’s are made by the Bread Project team.
* The Berkeley Food & Housing Project provides beds and meals for over 85 people per day.

Today, please join me in appreciating those who have given their lives in war and in devotion to their communities.

Enjoy your Memorial Day,

Almost 20 years ago, my best friend and I launched the Environmental Club at our high school. We sold Earth Day T-shirts to raise money for the Amazon rainforest and started the recycling program in our school. Since then, I’ve become increasingly moved by Earth Day. Because of our early high school activism, I was inspired to launch a business that was founded upon environmental values.

Two years ago, before my restaurant opened, we had the chance to serve our Amanda’s Organic Apple “Fries” to students at UC Berkeley. Last year we had a celebration at my restaurant. And this year, Earth Day feels more special than Christmas or Passover to me. Since it is the 40th Earth Day, there is a lot going on:
* Berkeley’s Ecology Center is celebrating their 40th anniversary
* My restaurant, Amanda’s Feel Good Fresh Food, is holding a panel today from from 5-6pm on “Sustainable Sourcing for Fast Food” where we continue to improve our committment to the environment
* The City of Berkeley is celebrating Earth Day with a Festival on Saturday from 12-5pm in Downtown Berkeley’s Civic Center Park.

Finally, my high school best friend is having her second baby boy today, an Earth Baby!

It’s true what they say: time flies when you’re having fun. This past year has been a joyous mix of introducing ourselves to Berkeley, meeting new people, and helping to build a healthy community. We are proud to announce that Amanda’s Feel Good Fresh Food Restaurant will be celebrating our one year anniversary!

As the assistant general manager of Amanda’s for the past year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in helping Amanda’s Restaurant through our first year. From our incredible team, to our wonderful customers, to the unfailingly supportive Berkeley community, it has truly been a group effort.

On Saturday 25 July, 2009, we will be throwing an all-day party (from noon to 8pm) to commemorate our first year. We will be giving out samples of our delicious food throughout the day. We’ll have several different musicians performing in the front of the restaurant. You could also win prizes to Almare Gelato, the Oakland Zoo, Parrot Cellular, Juice Appeal, Jupiter, Comic Relief, Meridian, Half Price Books, OCSC Sailing, Pegasus Books, Marjorie Majenti Acupuncture, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, YMCA, Aurora Theatre Company, Backyard Food Project, Shotgun Players, Bobby G’s Pizzeria, Hotel Shattuck Plaza, Carsala, and The Bread Project during our raffle. So bring the kids, friends, and family down to Amanda’s Restaurant on 25 July for a day of fun, food, music and prizes! See you then!

For another gift of a free freshly made soda with purchase of a grilled item, bring in a non-perishable food item for our drive for the Alameda County Food Bank.

Look forward to seeing you in a few weeks! - Peter

Two documentaries, Fresh and Food, Inc., have recently premiered, addressing the dangers of our industrialized food systems and offering some examples of how changes are being made. Both films remind us of how we can make a difference in reducing the amount of fossil fuels, antibiotics, growth hormones, and unhealthy ingredients go into our food system.

In both films, Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, describes some of the worst impacts of our food system from reliance on corn to the loss of diversity in farming. Joel Salatin’s Polyface Farm is portrayed as an idyllic diverse farm, but both films also show the struggle that a majority of farmers and ranchers have in escaping the industrialized markets. Gary Hirshberg, the inspirational founder of Stonyfield Farms shows how better-for-you foods can be affordable through selling organic yogurt to Walmart and trying to keep the perfect from being the enemy of the good. These themes are what has inspired the feelgoodfastfood.org blog to continue the conversation started by Eric Schlosser in Fast Food Nation. It is also what inspired the launch of Amanda’s in Berkeley, CA to offer affordable, approachable, convenient meals that use good quality ingredients and embrace environmental values.

While these topics can be discouraging, especially when most of us face limited time and budgets, there are hopeful suggestions that we can all start to incorporate. We can start to ask questions of our current food suppliers - what do you serve that is organic or local? is your meat naturally-raised without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones? We can start to make incremental choices to eat more local ingredients, less meat, and more fruits and vegetables to change our own health and the health of our world. Please see these films, discuss them with your communities, and join us in helping to change the world one meal at a time.

Help fight AIDS by eating out this Thursday, April 30. Participating restaurants donate at least 25% of dinner sales to local AIDS service organizations.

Feel Good about yourself by treating yourself to a meal at Amanda’s in Berkeley or other participating restaurants in the East Bay or search the Dine Out For Life Site for restaurants in your area.

Thought I’d share my favorite happenings around the world to celebrate the earth!

Here are 3 to start with:

1) Freshly-made sodas for just 50 cents if you bring your own cup today at Amanda’s at 2122 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, CA.
2) Current.com has the coolest Green Site with a schedule for the day and earthday-related articles
3) Amy Hale’s Donation and Volunteer ideas to inspire you to get involved on Earth Day.

Don’t be like those 1 in 5 four-year olds who are already obese, reported today in the SF Chronicle. Controlling calorie intake is one of the most important ways to maintain a healthy weight. Nutritiondata.com has an excellent tool for helping you determine what your calorie and carb/fat/protein intake should be based on your gender, age, height, weight, and activity level.

UNICEF’s goal is to increase the number of peope with safe water and basic sanitation. You can help, without writing a big check during World Water Week, March 22-28,2009. Just pay $1 or more for the tap water you usually get for free at restaurants like Amanda’s, Venus, Chez Panisse, and Saul’s Deli in Berkeley, CA. To find a participating restaurant in your area, click here. Or, donate online here.

I promise to post something other than the wonderful press reviews of Amanda’s. But, I thought that you all would be interested in the article about Amanda’s in the Chronicle’s 96-hour section. In a budget economy, Amanda’s is truly a Bargain Bite.

Also, please help support Amanda’s with by casting your vote for us in the Chronicle’s Best of the Bay.

Hello Feel Good Fast Food folks! I’m going to be on View from the Bay Today 3-4pm PT showing how to make a wholesome, balanced, tasty meal at home. This meal is under $20 for 4 and under 450 calories. You can watch it live here today or check it out online later in the show archive.